KILLINGS: GOV UZODINMA IMPOSES CURFEW IN EIGHT LGAs

Reporter : CHUKWUKA AGUKWE

Imo State Government has imposed dusk to dawn curfew from six o’clock in the evening till six o’clock in the morning in eight local government areas in Imo West Senatorial District.

The State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, announced this while briefing journalist in Owerri on the recent crisis that led to loss of lives and property in the areas.

The affected local governments include Orlu, Orsu, Oru East, Ideato North and Ideato South.

Others are Isu, Njaba, Nwangele and Nkwere Local Government Areas.

Governor Hope Uzodinma said security had been deployed to patrol the areas to forestall further break down of law and other.

He cautioned residents of the affected local government areas against flouting the curfew.

“All law-abiding citizens are advised to comply strictly with the curfew as announced. Anyone caught violating the curfew will be treated as a suspect,” the Governor stated.

Governor Uzodinma, while condoling with the families of those who were killed by alleged militants, vowed to bring the perpetrators to book.

“Consequently, I have directed the security agencies to fish out without fail, all those behind the carnage and immediately bring them to book.

“Let no one be in any doubt that the perpetrators of this dastardly act will ever escape justice.

“I assure them that they will pay for for their cruelty against a peace loving, innocent people,” Governor Uzodinma vowed.

He urged law abiding citizens to go about their normal businesses as measures had been taken to guarantee their security.

Though the Governor, Police and Army authorities were silent about what led to the crisis, unconfirmed reports had it that the security agencies had a shot out with members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the militant arm of the proscribed Indigenous Peoples of Biafra (IPOB) said to have had a base in the area.